A multi-agency investigation has uncovered a massive identity theft scheme at Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha, Nebraska, involving 70 illegal foreign nationals, mostly from Honduras. The individuals were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for using stolen Social Security numbers and identities to gain unlawful employment at the plant.
The scheme, which impacted numerous U.S. citizens, allowed the illegal workers to obtain wages, health benefits, and employment authorization, leaving over 100 real victims to face severe financial, emotional, and legal consequences. The victims include residents from Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, Missouri, and California, who suffered various forms of hardship due to the identity theft.
For instance, a Pennsylvania resident was denied medically necessary prescriptions because their identity was used to gain employment and healthcare benefits at Glenn Valley Foods. A disabled Texas resident struggled to receive Social Security disability payments due to an illegal alien using their identity to earn wages at the plant. A Colorado resident was required to repay over $5,000 due to false income reporting resulting from the identity theft.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Mark Zito condemned the actions of the arrested individuals, stating, “These so-called honest workers have caused an immeasurable amount of financial and emotional hardship for innocent Americans.” He emphasized that pretending to be someone else to steal their identity is “blatant, criminal dishonesty.”
The arrests were part of a worksite enforcement operation earlier this month, during which federal agents were assaulted. Five individuals were charged with various offenses, including assaulting federal officers, with two facing up to 20 years in prison for using a deadly or dangerous weapon during the assault.
The incident highlights the ongoing issues related to identity theft and illegal employment in U.S. meat processing plants. The U.S. Attorney for Nebraska has prosecuted similar cases in the past, including one in Fremont where a deceased person’s Social Security number was used to create hundreds of fraudulent documents.
The investigation is ongoing, with multiple agencies working together to address the criminal activity. FBI Omaha Field Office Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated that assaulting law enforcement officers is a criminal offense that will be investigated and prosecuted. A Homeland Security task force in the region is working to eliminate criminal cartels and transnational organizations operating in Nebraska and Iowa.
